Instrument casing for train-control systems



June-24, 1930. c. s. BUSHNELL INSTRUMENT CASING FOR TRAIN CONTROLSYSTEMS Filed May 31, 1923 mW zvroa @TZRN EY I I Z .15::\ J WW! =7 1 ILHill;

. It! It I!!! .l! i. i i it v15 A I Iii. K Illa rlllf 'llflll PatentedJune 24, 1930 UNITED STATES rarerrr- OFFICE CHARLES S. BUSHNELL, OFROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T GENERAL RAILWAY SIGNAL COMPANY, OFGATES, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF YORK INSTRUMENT CASING FORTRAIN-CONTROL SYSTEMS Application filed May 31,

v This invention relates to housing and supporting means, andparticularly to means for supportin sensitive electro-responsive devicesfor train control systems on railway vehicles.

The present application is a continuation in part, of applicantseo-pending application Ser. No. 531,903 filed January 26, 1922, nowPatent No. 1,717,380, granted June 11, an 1929, for all the subjectmatter common to the two applications.

In providing means for automatically controlling trains in accordancewith traflic conditions ahead, it is found expedient to is communicatecontrol influence from the trackway to the moving vehicle, so that thetrain may be automatically brought under control when it approachesanother train ahead or a track section in danger "for some other reason.it is found desirable to transmit such control influences through anintervening air gap, and to accomplish this very sensitiveelectro-responsive devices are necessarily employed. Tn order to preventsuch devices from opening or closing a circuit by reason of jars andvibration, it is found expedient to mount such devices on a sprinmounting suitably damped so as to cause t e oscillation of such mountingto so besubdued. Also, such supportin structure should provideprotection for t ese devices from moisture, freezing, detrimental gases,and the like. 1

With the above and other considerations in mind, it is proposed inaccordance with the present invention to provide an inner casingspring-mounted within an outer casing for both horizontal and verticaloscillatory movement, and to provide friction means acting as a brake toabsorb the energy transferred into the resilient supporting system bysuch jars and Vibration. Another object of the invention consists in theprovision of one easing within another so that sudden fluctuations intemperature in the inner casing do not take place, which might causecondensation of the moisture in the air within the casing and also toprotect the electro-responsive mechanism generally, the 6 outer casingserving as a housing for the 1923. Serial No. 642,652.

resilient supporting and the friction energy absorbing means.

Other objects, purposes, and characteristic features of the inventionwill appear as the description progresses.

In the detailed description of the invention, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, in which I Figure 1 illustrates a plan view of amounting embodying the present invention, the covers of both the innerand outercasings being partly broken away to show the internalconstruction and mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 22, Fig. 1, as viewed inthe direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a similar view taken on the line 3-3, Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4: is a vertical section taken on the line H, especiallyillustrating the manner in which the covers are secured to the casin s.

Referring to the drawings, the inner casing T is preferably constructedof cast iron and is provided with inwardly extending lugs 1 defining ahorizontal plane substantially midway between the top and bottomthereof. On these lugs is supported an instrument supporting base plate2, having bosses projecting therefrom and secured in place by cap screws3 so as to rest on these bosses. This base plate is slightly smallerthan the inside of .the casing, so that a certain amount of clearance ispresent to permit the various control wires to be brought from thecompartment below the base plate to the top of this base plate wherethey may be secured to sensitive electroresponsive devices of variouskinds, such as the time element device 4, the relays contained in thecasing 5, and other devices shown. This casing T is provided with anoutwardly extending lug 6 at each corner there-of. To the top and bottomsides of these lugs are fastened flanged spring centering devices 8 and9, respectively, which are secured by a-rivet 10.

The outer casing O has each of its bottom corners provided with a raisedseat 12 which has a round upstanding boss 12 integral therewith, aroundwhich is adapted to seat a compression coil spring 13 containing in itsupper end thereof the corresponding spring centering device 9. Thisconstruction, it will be noted, affords a resilient support for theinner casing I as far as up and down motion is concerned. In

order to limit the relative upward movement of the inner casing, anothercompression coil spring15 is seated on top of the spring centeringdevice 8 at each corner of the casing. On each side of the raised seat12 near the top of the casing O are provided inwardly extending lugs 16to which is fastened a curved bridge 18 (see Figs. 1 and 3)-by capscrews 17. This curved bridge 18 is provided with a threaded hole nearits middle containing an adjustable stud 19, whichhas its reduced ortionextending into a flanged collar 20. his flanged collar 20 seats on trapof the compression spring 15, thereby e ecting a seat to prevent theinner casing from moving upward beyond a predetermined limit.

In assembling this structure, the inner casing I is set into the outercasing 0 upon the lower spring '13. A suitable weight may then be placedupon the inner casing, thereby forcing it down sufiiciently to allow theu per spring 15 and its retaining means inc uding the flanged collar 20and brid e 18 re-enforcin to be put in place. If additional initiatension of the springs 13 and 15 is desired, the adjustable 'ournal pins19 may be drawn down still lrther, after which they may be locked inplace by look nuts, as shown. By this construction, any desired naturalperiod of oscillation may be set up within certain limits by makingproper adjustments of the adjustable studs 19. The inner casing ispreferably rather heavy, so that a fairl low natural period ofoscillation may be ad usted for. Also, a heavy casin is adapted to storemore kinetic energy supported, and for this reason a heavy casmg andsprings of corresponding strength and stiffness are provided.

The resilient means thus far described consists of initially tensionedspring means which permits up and down movement 0 the inner casing withrespect to the outer casing. In order to limit the movement of theinnercasing in a horizontal plane, suitable leaf springs are securelyfastened to bosses 26 projecting inwardly substantial y at the midpointon each side of the outer casing by cap screws 27. These leaf springs 25are of general Z-shape, and have riveted to opposite sides of the'upperend thereof friction pads 28 of suitable frict1on materlal, such asleather, re-enforced asbestos and the like, by suitable rivets as shown.The inner pad 28 on each of these Z-shaped s rings 25 is seated on abearin plate 29 he din place by two threaded studl s resiliently 30. Asimilar but U-shaped bearing plate 32 is also provided and slidablysupported by these studs 30, and is urged against the outer friction pad28 by springs 34: adjustably held in place by nuts 35. Both of thesebearing plates are removable, so that they may be re laced when worndown or when necessar or any other reason. Each of the leaf springs 25is slotted at an intermediate point to receive the flattened bearingstud 36 riveted into the outer casing O. These studs 36 are mainlyprovided to re-enforce the leaf springs 25 as far as motion along theplane of these springs is concerned in a horizontal direction, and alsoto provide a certain amount of friction to absorb the energy ofoscillation afforded by such springs.

The bearing plates 29 and 32 and the easing I ma moveboth horizontallyand vertically with respect to the friction pads 28, so that a certainamount of braln'ng action in both a horizontal and vertical plane isafforded by each of these frictiondevices. It should be noted that thesedevices are located at right angles to each other, and that the frictiondevices at the ends of the inner casin I take care of up and down aswell as si ewise motion of the inner casing; whereas the frictiondevices on the side of the casing take care of up and down motion aswell as en'dwise movement of the inner casing, so that frictionalresistance is afforded in three planes substantially at right angles toeach other. Further, the flattened bearing studs 36 afford a certainamount of friction to limit oscillation in two directions atsubstantially right angles to each other in a horizontal plane.

The inner casing I is provided with a cover 40, having a circumferentialgroove containing the usual felt gasket 41 to afford a moisture-tightseal between the cover and the casing, this cover being secured in placeby cap screws 42 en aging threaded ears extending outwardly rom thecasing I. A suitable collar is pinned to each of the screws 42 toprevent these screws from falling out of the cover when the cover isremoved. The outer casing is provided with a simliar cover 43, alsoprovided with a gasket, but this cover is held in place b a quickdetachable hasp fastener H. 's hasp fastener comprises a hasp member 45pivotally secured in of ears 46 by a cross pm 47. The hasp member 45 isbifurcated and has a curved spring hook 48 pivoted about a pin 49, andhas its hooked end engaging a ledge 50 between extensions 51 onthe'cover 43.

The lower en of the has member 45 is provided with a slot whic embracesthe staple 52 when the has member is in the closed position. It shou dbe noted that the pin 47 lies outside of a line connecting the edge 50and the pin 49, so that a toggle lace between-a pair Ill action ispresent tending to hold the has member 45 in its closed position. Ifdesire a padlock may be hung in the staple 52 to provide suitablelocking means for the caslng.

The inner casing is provided with an opening in the side wall containinga flanged insulating bushing 55. The outer casing is provided withasimilar opening in which is shown fastened a conduit fitting 56, inwhich is shown secured a flexible conduit 57. A large number of wires 58is adapted to be brought into the inner casing I, only two of which havebeen shown.

It will be noted that the openings in the inner and outer casings,respectively, are

. located a considerable distance apart in adjacent side walls. This isdone so that relative movement between the inner and outer casingscauses very little angular displacement of these wires, so that theyarenot apt to be broken due to oscillation of the inner casing due tojars and vibration. The outer casing serves to provide a substantialsupport for the inner casing, and also provides a suitable housing forthe resilient supporting and the frictional energy absorbing mechanism.The outer casin also serves to prevent a sudden change in t e temperature of the walls of the inner casing which if permitted would tend tocondense moisture in the air in this casing, especially when the changeis a lowering of the temperature. This manner of providing a dead airspace between the inner and outer casing to a large extent prevents theaccumulation of moisture in the inner casing.

A supporting and housing structure has thus been provided which includesinitially tensioned spring means constructed in a manner so that theinitial tension may be varied, if desired, so as to ermit any desirednatural period of oscillation of the inner casing to be effected withincertain limits. provided to permit oscillation in a horizontal plane,this sprin means (springs 25) being of a type which may be initiallytensioned toward the center of the casing), if desired. Further,suitable energy absor ing friction devices have been provided which areadapted to absorb energy due to oscillation, re ardless of the directionor directions in whic the oscillation takes place.

Having thus shown and described one specific embodiment of theinvention, it is desired to be understood that this has been done forillustrative purposes only and that various changes and modificationsmay be made to adapt the invention for supporting the various sensitiveelectro-responsive devices used in practice for the pur ose described,without departing from t e scope of the invention or the idea of meansunderlying the same.

Similarl spring means has been.

What is desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a supporting structure for sensitive electro-responsive devices,the combination with a support, a casing, two sets of springs forresiliently supporting said casing by said support for movement in ahorizontal and vertical plane respectively, and a friction device forabsorbing energy due to oscillation of said casing in botha vertical anda horizontal plane.

2. In a structure for supporting sensitive electro-responsive devices,in combination, an inner casing, an outer casing, opposed initiallytensioned springs for supporting said inner casing in said outer casing,and combined spring and friction means mounted in said outer casing, forresiliently supporting said inner casing against endwise displacementand for absorbing energy due to oscillation of said inner casing in botha vertical and horizontal plane.

3. Shock absorbing apparatus for supporting sensitive electro-responsivedevices for train control systems on railwayvehicles comprising, anouter casing, an inner casing resiliently supported by said outercasing, and unitary means for frictionally limiting the movement of saidinner casing in both a horizontal and a vertical plane and forresiliently limiting the movement of said casing in a horizontal plane.

4. Apparatus for sup orting sensitive electro-responsive devices ortrain control sys terns comprising, an outer casing, an inner casing,means for resiliently supporting said inner casing by said outer casingfor both vertical and horizontal oscillatory movement, and frictionmeans acting as a brake to limit the oscillation in both a vertical anda horizontal plane.

5. Apparatus for housing and mounting sensitive electro-responsivedevices for train control systems, comprising, an outer casing, an innercasing, means for resiliently and movably supporting the inner casing inthe outer casing, an opening in the wall of the outer casing and anopening in the wall of the inner casing for lead in wires, the openings,in the two casings being offset a substantial amount from opposition toeach other, whereby lead in wires passing through the two openings willeach have a portion disposed substantially parallel to the walls of thecasings.

6. Apparatus for housing and mounting sensitive elcctro-responsivedevices comprising, an enclosed inner casing carrying such devices, anouter casing, and unitary means wholly within the outer casing andwholly outside the inner casing for resiliently supporting the innercasing, said last mentioned means acting frictionally to subdueoscillation of said inner casing due to jars and vibration.

7. Apparatus for housing and mounting sensitive electro-responsivedevices comprising; an outer casing, an inner casing, means movablymounting the inner casing in the outer casing, each casing consisting ofa box like portion; fiat springs secured fixedly to one of said casingsand extending between friction members spring pressed together andsecured to the other casing, said springs and friction members beingwholly contained within the outer casing.

8. Apparatus for housing and mounting sensitive electro-resp0nsivedevices comprising; an outer casing, inner casing movably carried in theouter casing, each casing consis'ing of box-like body portion meansmounting the in; Y ".5 ng, a plurality of. cured in vertical to on atpoints such that one of said springs can move substantially transverselyto tr e movement of another of said springs; a plurality of springpressed clamping devices secured to the otherof said casings at pointsto clamp said springs; and pads of friction material contained in saidclamping devices engaging said springs; whereby movement of said innercasing verticaliy or horizontally in one vertical plane is frictionallyresisted by one of said springs and its associated clamping devices, andmovement of said inner casing in another vertical plane transverse tosaid one vertical plane is frictionally resisted by another of saidsprings and its associated clampin devices.

9. Apparatus for housing and mounting sensitive electro-responsivedevices, comprising, an outer casing, an inner casing therein, meansmovably mounting the inner casing in the outer casing, friction membersfixed to one casing, an arm fixed to the other casing and extendingbetween the friction members, and means ressing the friction memberstogether against the arm.

' 10. Apparatus for housing and mounting sensitive electro-responsivedevices, comprising, an outer casing, an inner casing therein, meansmovably mounting the inner casing in the outer casing, opposed frictionplates carried by one of the casings, a spring arm fixed to the othercasing and extending between the friction plates, friction pads fastenedto the arm and positioned between the friction plates, and-meanspressing the plates against the friction pads.

In testimony whereof I hereby afiix my signature.

CHARLES S. BUSHNELL.

